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Chord progression · C major

The minor-feel pop progression (vi–IV–I–V) in C major

The pop progression started from the minor vi chord, so it feels darker and more urgent while using exactly the same chords.

Heard in “Zombie” – The Cranberries and many more.

Chords in C major
Am→F→C→G
Numerals
viIVIV

Play along

4 bars of 4 beats, looping · pick a key above to transpose

1Amvi
2FIV
3CI
4GV

Strum pattern: ↓   ↓↑  ↑↓↑ (down, down-up, up-down-up) — count “1 2 & 3 & 4 &”. Learn this strum →

The chords

vi Am
×A2E3A1CE
1ACEA
ACEA C E
IV F
1F3C4F2A1C1F
2AC1FA
ACFF/A
I C
×3C2EG1CE
GCE1C
CEGC E G
V G
2G1BDGB3G
G1D3G2B
BC4DGG/B

Piano voicings use inversions so each chord is as close as possible to the one before — your hand barely moves. Switch to “Root position” to compare.

vi–IV–I–V in every key

CD♭DE♭EFF♯GA♭AB♭B

More progressions in C major

I–V–vi–IVI–IV–V–IVI–vi–IV–V12-bar bluesii–V–II–vi–ii–VI–V–vi–iii–IV–I–IV–VI–♭VII–IV–I